Steve James privileged to capture images of BabyFace at Reggae Sumfest

Jamaican-born, US-based preeminent photojournalist Steve James says he was privileged to be the lone photojournalist allowed to capture images of BabyFace in the pit at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

“It was both a privilege and challenge to be selected as the only photographer allowed in the press area during BabyFace’s performance,” James told Caribbean Life on Monday. “It was a challenge in that I could only take photos of his first three songs, so I had to be shooting nonstop until my arms began to hurt. 

“I can only think that the quality of my work and the relationship with the Reggae Sumfest team over the years were why I was selected,” he added. 

James said that mere hours before the start of International Night Two of the festival, held at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, on July 20, the Reggae Sumfest press team issued an email, stating: “We have been advised by the BabyFace management team that NO PRESS will be allowed in the Press Pit during his performance.”

James said members of the press were startled that the “three-song rule” that is typically enforced for live performances was not honored for BabyFace’s performance. 

Nonetheless, he said he was honored to capture BabyFace’s images, as he has been plying his craft for over four decades. 

He said he has been covering Reggae Sumfest since its inception in 1993 and had also covered the forerunner Sunsplash. 

“My images have appeared in Billboard Magazine, Buzzz Magazine, Echoes Magazine (London) and on various CD covers”, James told Caribbean Life. “I also work with one of the largest reggae websites in the world, www.reggaeville.com, providing them with content such as images and CD reviews.

“For over nine years, I also wrote a column in Echoes Magazine, formerly Black Echoes, which is based in London, one of the most highly respected reggae magazines in London,” he added. 

Steve JamesPhoto credit: Anthony “ER Guru” Turner

Reggaeville, which is based in Germany, has over 5,000 unique viewers per day and UnitedReggae.com, which is based in France, has over 3,000. 

James, a lover of traveling, reggae music, photography, fine dining and wildlife, said he also hosts The Real Rock radio program, which airs on Newstalk93fm at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. 

He said Real Rock has a listenership of about 600,000 persons and has online listeners from Columbia, London, the US, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. 

James said he is a man of “deep-rooted passions” in the Jamaican entertainment industry, stating that this love affair began with his attraction to the rhythmic beats of music from the 60’s and 70’s that blossomed into a “life-long committed relationship.”

He said he’s now “intimately involved with the business behind the music”, and has already said “I do” to artiste management, touring, event production and public relations.

James said he has promised “to have and to hold” the jobs of magazine correspondent and photojournalist “in sickness and in health”. 

James has been a weekly guest on a Rhythm & Blues program, which airs on BBC London, and, more recently, he has been featured on Beat FM & Soft Touch FM. 

You can tune in to his Real Rock radio show on www.bessfm.com on Thursdays and Friday nights, 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.